Preparing for TEF Canada Test d’évaluation de français Examination

What to Expect in the Paper

Are you looking to learn French to add additional points to your CRS score and to be eligible for ITAs (Invitation to Apply) based on French category draws? The knowledge of French can be very helpful in achieving your Canada Permanent Residency dream. 

If you are just starting with the French journey, you would have all sets of questions: 

• What exams do I need to take?
• What level of French proficiency is needed to be eligible for French draws? 
• What to expect in the exam? How is the paper pattern structured? 

Are you already stressed out? Don’t worry—we have you covered. In this article, we will decode all your queries and point you in the right direction. 

What exams do I need to take?

For starters, you can take either of the two examinations: 

• Test d’évaluation de français (TEF CANADA) 
•  Test de connaissance du français (TCF CANADA) 

Both will test your French level, with questions ranging from A1 to C2. TEF Canada is a computer-based exam, whereas TCF Canada can be taken both digitally and using a pen-and-paper format (provided the test center supports it).

What level of French proficiency is needed to be eligible for French draws? 

 You need a  minimum score of 7 as per the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC). This score score has to be obtained in all four modules: Compréhension orale (Listening), Compréhension écrite (Reading), Expression orale (Speaking), Expression écrite (Writing). 

What to expect in the exam? How is the paper pattern structured? 

Let’s now look at the paper pattern and structure of each TEF and TCF Canada exams. 

Test d’évaluation de français (TEF CANADA) 

• •  Compréhension écrite (Reading)
    • Number of Questions: 40
    • Time: 60 minutes 
    • Question type: All MCQ-based questions (choose the 1 correct option)
    • Format: Computer-based. The computer screen is in your control. You can go forward or backward in the allotted time. 

• Compréhension orale (Listening)

• • • Number of Questions: 40
    • Time: 40 minutes 
    • Question type: All MCQ-based questions (choose the 1 correct option)
    • Format: Computer-based. The computer screen is not in your control. You cannot go forward or backward in the allotted time. 
    • Sound recordings will be played only once. 

• Expression orale (Speaking)

• • • Number of Tasks: 2
    • Time: 15 minutes
    • Preparation time: None 
    • Format: Role play based
      • Task 1: Formal Round – Question-answer round where you ask questions to the examiner to get some details about a poster or an advertisement that will be provided to you. 
      • Task 2: Informal Round: Argument round where you have to convince your friend (played by the examiner) to do some activity or participate in some event. 

• Expression écrite (Writing)

• • Number of Tasks: 2
  • Time: 60 minutes 
  • Task 1: Report writing 
    • You have to write a report as a journalist for a newspaper, on an event that happened recently. 
    • Word limit: minimum 80 words
    • Time: 25 minutes
  • Task 2: Letter Writing 
    • You have to write a letter to the editor of a newspaper expressing your opinion on a topic which was recently published in their paper. 
    • Word limit: minimum 200 words 
    • Time: 35 minutes 
  • The two tasks here are time with the screen not in your control. Once you submit one task, you cannot go back to it again. 

 Test de connaissance du français (TCF CANADA) 

• • Compréhension écrite (Reading)
    • Number of Questions: 39
    • Time: 60 minutes 
    • Question type: All MCQ-based questions (choose the 1 correct option)
    • Format: Computer-based or pen-paper 

• Compréhension orale (Listening)

• • • Number of Questions: 39
    • Time: 40 minutes 
    • Question type: All MCQ-based questions (choose the 1 correct option)
    • Format: Computer-based or pen-paper. The computer screen is not in your control. You cannot go forward or backward in the allotted time. 
    • Sound recordings will be played only once. 

• Expression orale (Speaking)

• • • Number of Tasks: 3
    • Time: 15 minutes
      • Task 1: Presentez-vous or self-description where you have to describe yourself to the examiner in about 2-2.5 minutes. There is no preparation time and the examiner may ask you 1-2 follow-up questions. 
      • Task 2: Question-answer round where you ask questions to the examiner to get some details about a situation provided to you. You get 2 minutes to prepare and 3 minutes to ask questions. 
      • Task 2: Argumentative monologue where you have to share your opinion on a general topic shared by the examiner. The monologue lasts for about 4.5 minutes with no preparation time. 

• Expression écrite (Writing)

• • Number of Tasks: 3
  • Time: 60 minutes 
  • Task 1: Letter / Email / Short message writing
    • You must write a short message or email to a friend or a stranger about a topic related to daily life.
    • Word limit: 60-100 words
  • Task 2: Blog Writing 
    • You have to write a blog about an event you attended, sharing your experience about what you did and how you felt. 
    • Word limit: 120-150 words
  • Task 3: Argumentative Writing
    • A general topic will be given with a summary of points for and against. You must read both, share your personal opinion on the subject, and conclude.
    • Word limit: 120-150 word

TEF Canada and TCF Canada exams are similar in assessing a candidate’s language skills. The difference mainly lies in the structure and format of the paper. TEF Canada declares results in about 4-5 days whereas TCF Canada declares results in about 15-20 days. 

Do you want to crack the TEF Canada/TCF Canada examinations?  Do you wish to know more about courses and learning patterns? You can check our website or book a consultation call with our founder, Ankita Agarwal.